Metropolitan Opera reaches deal with stagehands

Karen Matthews Associated Press

Posted:
08/20/2014 04:07:55 AM MDT

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FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2014, file photo, pedestrians walk in front of the Metropolitan Opera house at New York's Lincoln Center. New York's Metropolitan Opera has reached tentative labor deals with two of its largest unions while negotiations continue with 10 more unions in hopes of averting a lockout, the federal Mediation and Conciliation Service announced early Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City's Metropolitan Opera reached a deal early Wednesday with its stagehands and said it expects to avert a lockout by reaching agreements with the remaining unions.

The opera company said rehearsals will continue and the season will open as scheduled Sept. 22 with a new production of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro."

Met general manager Peter Gelb demanded pay cuts of about 17 percent, citing skyrocketing production costs and shrinking audiences. Union members countered that such a radical move was unwarranted on a $2.8 million deficit against a $326 million budget — while they say Gelb wasted many millions on failed productions.

Details of the agreement with the stagehands were not disclosed, but Matthew Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said the deal includes mandatory cost reductions from management and an independent monitor to track budget performance.

"We've always been willing to contribute to a solution that will keep the world's best operas in front of the world's greatest opera fans," Loeb said.

Fifteen unions representing about 2,500 chorus singers, orchestra musicians, stagehands, carpenters and others had been negotiating on and off since February. Their contracts expired July 31.

Musicians from the two largest Met unions reached tentative four-year deals Monday. The orchestra and chorus agreed to cuts of 3.5 percent and 3.5 percent more within six months.

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The Met management also wanted to slash pensions and health care benefits, which remained intact.

The deals must still be ratified.

Most orchestra and chorus members at the Met made about $200,000 last year, including overtime costs they blame on Gelb's penchant for extravagant productions.

With the lockout deadline approaching the 11th hour several weeks ago, a federal mediator stepped in to try to bring the two sides closer. Gelb's lockout deadline was extended several times while a financial analyst conducted a study of company accounts.

The stagehands were the largest bargaining unit that had not reached a tentative agreement before Wednesday.

Negotiations will continue with eight smaller unions including those representing scenery painters and costume and makeup artists.